The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Cisco have partnered to provide up to 50,000 fellows and alumni of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) with free digital skills training to strengthen their employability and prepare them for opportunities in the digital economy.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the UN House in Abuja, attended by representatives of the Federal Government, UNDP, Cisco, the European Union, development partners and NJFP participants.

Under the agreement, eligible fellows and alumni will receive access to Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad), an online learning platform offering technology courses and other digital skills training. Access will be rolled out to up to 50,000 participants.

The initiative is designed to complement the programme’s workplace experience and professional development opportunities with additional training tailored to changing labour market demands.

NJFP is a youth employability initiative of the Federal Government, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. It connects young Nigerian graduates with skills development, workplace experience and private-sector employment opportunities.

UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the collaboration builds on the programme’s efforts to connect young people’s skills and work experience with opportunities in a rapidly evolving economy.

She highlighted the combination of Cisco’s technology expertise and industry-relevant learning pathways with UNDP’s development experience and national employability platform.

Attafuah said the partnership should ultimately be assessed by its impact on young Nigerians, particularly their ability to secure meaningful employment, establish sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the country’s digital economy.

Representing the Office of the Vice President’s Delivery Unit, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, stressed the need to link skills development with employment opportunities.

He said the initiative supports broader efforts to expand economic opportunities, create jobs, strengthen human capital and equip young Nigerians with the skills and enterprise capabilities needed in a changing economy.

The European Union also reaffirmed its support for NJFP and programmes promoting youth employment, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Yolanda San Jose, Head of Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the EU remained committed to a more competitive, digital, greener and inclusive Nigerian economy where young people could drive innovation and sustainable growth.

Cisco Nigeria and Ghana General Manager, Abdelaziz Saidu, described NJFP as a platform that helps graduates move from education into employment through workplace experience, mentorship, leadership development and skills training.

He said Cisco was contributing digital learning content and training opportunities valued at more than US$52.7 million through the initiative. The programme is expected to reach 50,000 learners annually over the next three years.

According to Saidu, Cisco Networking Academy has already trained more than one million learners in Nigeria in areas including computer networking, cybersecurity, software development, data analytics and emerging technologies.

The partnership is expected to strengthen NJFP’s talent pipeline by combining workplace exposure with industry-led digital education. The additional training will give participating fellows and alumni opportunities to develop technical skills relevant to employment and career advancement.

Experiences shared by fellows and alumni at the signing ceremony also highlighted the role of digital learning in developing professional capabilities and preparing young Nigerians for future career opportunities.

Source: MSME Africa Online